Herbert found himself sadly in need of underclothing; and, of course, his only suit, from constant wear, was likely to deteriorate3 rapidly. He saved all the money he could from his weekly wages toward purchasing a new one, but his savings4 were inconsiderable. Besides, he needed a trunk, or would need one, when he had anything to put in it.
“If I only had that money Greenleaf stole from me, I should be all right,” he said to himself, after long and anxious thought on the great question of ways and means. “I don't see how I can save up more than two dollars a week out of my wages, and it will take a long time for that to amount to much.”
There certainly did not appear to be much chance of saving more. His boarding place was as cheap as he could obtain, or, if there were cheaper anywhere, they would probably be also poorer, and our hero felt that Mrs. Morgan's was as poor as he should be able to endure.
He was rather mortified5, too, at the poverty of his wardrobe. Mrs. Morgan asked him one day, “When is your trunk coming?” and Herbert was obliged to own, with some shame, that he had none. The landlady6 looked surprised, but he had no explanation to offer.
“I suppose I shall have to wait till my wages are raised,” thought Herbert, with a little sigh. This, he reflected, would not be very soon, as he had started with a salary greater than he was likely to earn, as Mr. Godfrey had said.
But relief was nearer than he anticipated.
One day, as he was walking up the Bowery, he saw, at a little distance in front of him, a figure which he well remembered. The careless, jaunty7 step and well-satisfied air were familiar to him. In short, it was Peter Greenleaf, who had played so mean a trick upon him at the hotel.
Herbert's heart beat quick with excitement, mingled8 with pleasure. He felt a natural indignation against this young man, who had cheated him so remorselessly, and left him, indifferent to his fate, alone and almost penniless in a strange city.
What should he do?
Close behind him was a policeman slowly pacing his regular round. Herbert went up to him, and, pointing to Greenleaf, rapidly recounted his grievances9.
“It was a mean trick,” said the policeman, who was a favorable specimen10 of his class. “Is this the first time you have seen him?”
“Yes.”
“Tell me what you want to do.”
“I want to get my money back.”
“Probably he has spent it. How long since he robbed you?”
“Three weeks.”
“Not much chance, then. Probably his pocket's empty, unless he's fleeced somebody else in the meantime. However, it's as well to see what can be done. Now, I'll tell you how to act. Go up to him boldly, and demand your money. If he bluffs11 you off, call me.”
“All right,” said Herbert.
He hastened his step, and, advancing, tapped Greenleaf on the shoulder.
Greenleaf turned. When he recognized Herbert, he looked surprised and disconcerted. But he had plenty of assurance, and quickly determined12 upon his course. Assuming a stolid13 look, he said: “Well, my lad, who are you; and what do you want?”
“You know who I am, well enough,” said Herbert, angrily.
“Do I? Then I'm uncommonly14 forgetful. I haven't any recollection of your interesting countenance,” he said, with a sneer15.
“I suppose you don't want to remember me, Mr. Greenleaf,” said Herbert.
“Greenleaf! You are thinking of somebody else. My name's Thompson.”
“Your name was Greenleaf when you stopped with me at French's Hotel,” said Herbert, sturdily.
“You're crazy, I fancy,” said Greenleaf, shrugging his shoulders. “I never stopped at the hotel you mention, in my life.”
“Where's the money you took from me?” demanded Herbert, who felt convinced of Greenleaf's identity, in spite of his denial.
“What are you talking about?” said Greenleaf, assuming a look of surprise.
“You went off before I was awake, with more than fifty dollars of mine.”
“Do you mean to insult me?” said Greenleaf, drawing himself up. “I've a great mind to knock you over!”
“Mr. Greenleaf,” said Herbert, firmly, “either return my money, or as much as you have got left, or I will call a policeman.”
“Just what I shall do, myself, unless you stop this nonsense,” said Greenleaf, angrily; but not without a sensation of uneasiness, as it struck his mind that Herbert might really intend to do what he had said.
“Once more, will you give up that money?” said Herbert, firmly.
“Stand out of the way,” said Greenleaf, “if you know what is best for yourself!”
He was about to push by, thrusting Herbert roughly out of the way, when our hero turned, and his look summoned the policeman, who hastened to the spot.
“Give this boy his money,” he said, authoritatively16. “I know all about your little game. It's up now. Unless you hand over your plunder17, you must go with me.”
Greenleaf changed color, and was evidently alarmed.
“I've got nobody's money, except my own,” he said.
“Come along, then,” said the officer, taking him by the arm.
“Stop a minute,” said he, hurriedly, finding that matters had come to a crisis. “If I give up what I have, will you let me go?”
“Well, that depends on how much you have.”
“I've got twenty dollars.”
Herbert was about to say that this would do, but the policeman shook his head.
“Won't do,” said he. “Come along.”
After a little haggling18, Greenleaf produced forty dollars, which Herbert pocketed, with much satisfaction.
“Now go along, and mind you don't try any more such games.”
Greenleaf needed no second permission to be gone. He feared that the officer might change his mind, and he might, after all, be consigned19 to the station house.
“Thank you,” said Herbert, gratefully. “I needed the money badly. I shouldn't have recovered it but for you.”
“Take better care of it next time,” said the officer, not unkindly. “Take care not to trust a stranger too easily. Better take my advice, and put it in a savings bank.”
“I shall be obliged to use most of it,” said Herbert. “What I don't need, I will put in the bank.”
The recovery of so much of his lost money seemed to Herbert quite a lucky windfall. He went at once to a trunk store, and, for five dollars, purchased a good, durable21 trunk, which he ordered sent home to his lodgings22. Fifteen dollars more he invested in necessary underclothing, and this left him one-half of the money for future use. Besides this he had six dollars, which, in three weeks, he had saved from his wages. With this sum, and the articles he had purchased, he felt quite rich, and returned to the counting-room—this happened during the hour given him for dinner—in unusually good spirits. He had other reasons for encouragement. He was getting accustomed to his duties at the counting-room. Mr. Godfrey always treated him kindly20, and had called upon him again that very morning to assist him in translating a French letter, complimenting him, at the same time, upon his scholarship.
“I'll do my best,” thought Herbert. “'Try and Trust,' that's my motto. I think it will bring me success.”
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1
cramped
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| a.狭窄的 | |
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confiscated
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| 没收，充公( confiscate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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deteriorate
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| v.变坏；恶化；退化 | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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landlady
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| n.女房东，女地主 | |
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jaunty
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| adj．愉快的，满足的；adv.心满意足地，洋洋得意地；n.心满意足；洋洋得意 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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bluffs
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| 恐吓( bluff的名词复数 )； 悬崖； 峭壁 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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stolid
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| adj.无动于衷的，感情麻木的 | |
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14
uncommonly
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| adv. 稀罕(极，非常) | |
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sneer
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| v.轻蔑；嘲笑；n.嘲笑，讥讽的言语 | |
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authoritatively
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| 命令式地，有权威地，可信地 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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haggling
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| v.讨价还价( haggle的现在分词 ) | |
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consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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durable
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| adj.持久的，耐久的 | |
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lodgings
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| n. 出租的房舍, 寄宿舍 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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